Gardener News August 2017

TAKE ONE

Gardener News Serving the Agricultural, Gardening and Landscaping Communities

August, 2017

GARDENERNEWS.COM

TAKE ONE No. 172

If It Smells Like a Petunia or Shampoo, It Might Be a Pesticide

Petunias emit methyl benzoate to attract bees for pollination.

By Kim Kaplan ARS Office of Communications

You probably know methyl benzoate when you smell it. The natural compound’s wintergreenspicy, floral-fruity aromas make it a popular ingredient

in perfumes, soaps, and shampoos.

A scent that petunias and snapdragons release to attract pollinators may be an environmentally friendly control for pests like the spotted wing drosophila fly (SWD) and

the brown marmorated stink bug.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) chemist Aijun Zhang discovered the fragrant chemical methyl benzoate, which is also a popular ingredient approved by the U.S. Food

and Drug Administration for use in foods, cosmetics and shampoo, can kill these insects and others.

Few choices are available for controlling SWD, which is an invasive species from Asia. It has quickly spread across the

Tom Castronovo/Photo

United States and can cause significant damage to fruit crops, especially berries.

Zhang, who is with the ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, (Cont. on page 10)

2 August, 2017

G A R D E N C E N T E R D I R E C T O R Y GardenerNews.com

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Magnificant Hanging Baskets in All Colors A better garden starts with a better plant.

Proven Winners

Container Gardens D Shrubs D Vegetable Plants D Annuals D Perennials We've Got It All! D

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August, 2017 3

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4 August, 2017 Something about summer just brings out the fun in food.

Sure, there are holidays and events in fall, winter and spring that combine food and fun – Thanksgiving and the ensuing holidays come immediately to mind – but for sustained fun involving food, no season can touch summer.

Summer brings us cookouts and street festivals and carnivals and trips to the Shore, along with a whole host of other activities at which food often takes center stage. These are all FUN activities, and food either is the reason for that fun or plays a major supporting role in our enjoyment of the day.

So, as we enter into the last full month of summer, I thought it would be playful to think about “fun facts” that are connected to food. Fortunately, the Agriculture Council of America – an organization composed of leaders in the agriculture, food and fiber communities dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in our society – have compiled an intriguing document called “Fun Facts: About the Food We Eat.” Some of the facts provided in that document pertain to foods grown in New Jersey, while others just bring

GardenerNews.com NJ Dept. of Agriculture

By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

Fun facts about the foods we eat a chuckle.

For example, consider that: 9 Americans consume 14.3 BILLION quarts of popcorn each year, averaging out to 43 quarts per person per year.

9 A shortage of baking flours during World War II forced bread makers to substitute up to 25 percent of ground popcorn for wheat flour.

9 The chemicals that give tart cherries their color may relieve pain and inflammation better than many over-the-counter medications (gout sufferers among you readers probably already know this).

9 There are about 7,000 cherries on the average cherry tree, and it takes 250 cherries to make the average pie. So each tree can produce enough fruit for 28 pies.

9 Lettuce is actually a member of the sunflower family.

9 In the United States, lettuce is the fifth-most popular fresh vegetable.

9 Nearly 600 million pounds of blueberries are produced in the United States each year.

9 New Jersey remains in the Top-10 states for producing cultivated blueberries.

9 An egg shell may have as many as 17,000 tiny pores on its surface, through which eggs can absorb flavors and odors.

9 Hens can, at times, produce double-yolked eggs, and occasionally eggs with no yolk at all.

9 There are more than 500 varieties of bananas.

That means it would take you almost two years, eating one banana of each variety per day, to sample them all.

Look Who’s Reading the Gardener News!

It’s in the news

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Max Gail, best known for his portrayal of “Detective Stan ‘Wojo’ Wojciehowicz” in the television sitcom Barney Miller, looks over the Gardener News on a recent trip to New Jersey. Barney Miller was set in a New York City Police Department fictional 12th Precinct police station in Greenwich Village. The series was broadcast from January 23, 1975, to May 20, 1982, on the ABC television network. Gail has made many guest appearances on TV shows such as: Walker, Texas Ranger; Cannon; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; Due South; The Streets of San Francisco; The Drew Carey Show; Hawaii Five-0; Quantum Leap; Psych; and NCIS.

9 Asparagus is a member of the lily family.

9 One of the most popular varieties of asparagus is name after Martha Washington, the nation’s first First Lady.

9 The United States produces more than one-fourth of the world’s supply of fresh peaches.

9 The peach is a member of the rose family, and has a sweet fragrance when ripe.

9 Consuming pumpkins was once thought to remove freckles and cure snake bites (neither of which turned out to be true).

9 The name “pumpkin” is derived from the Greek word “pepon,” which means “large melon.”

9 Americans eat enough pizza in one day to cover 100 acres of land. That accounts for about 350 slices per second.

That’s a lot of flour, cheese

and tomatoes to be consumed.

9 The most popular sweet pepper in the United States is the bell pepper.

New Jersey ranks fourth in bell pepper production in the nation.

9 As bell peppers mature, their color changes from green to red, and they become sweeter.

I hope you enjoyed these “fun facts” about some of the foods we eat. There’s thousands more we could note. Share a few with your family and friends at your next summer cookout or during a food festival, and see what kinds of discussions ensue.

It’s more fun than staring at your phone the whole day, don’t you think?

Editor’s Note: Douglas H. Fisher is New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture. He is the department’s executive officer, secretary to the State Board of Agriculture and a member of the Governor’s cabinet. Secretary Fisher fulfills executive, management and administrative duties prescribed by law, executive order or gubernatorial direction.

He can be reached at 609.292.3976.

For more info, please visit: http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture

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August, 2017 5

USDA Farm to School Grant to Increase Local Foods in N.J. School Cafeterias The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Food and Nutrition has been named a recipient of a $90,945 Support Service grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School Grant Program, an effort to better connect school cafeterias and students with local farmers, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher announced.

“We look forward to expanding even further in to all our Child Nutrition Programs, Farm to School, Farm to Summer and Farm to Preschool, and supporting efforts across the entire state,” Secretary Fisher said. “More and more schools are sourcing local products and are including school garden education within their curriculum. Our Farm to School Program is here to promote those who participate and to encourage more schools to sign on to this movement.”

The grant will be used by the NJDA’s Division of Food and Nutrition to provide funding to FoodCorps service sites for taste tests and school garden start up or expansion at approximately 30 schools. The Division will also host the Second Farm to School Summit - a statewide event to bring farmers, produce distributors/brokers, food service management companies, self-operated programs, vendors, school business officials, administrators, educators and school boards together for networking and sharing on the benefits and best practices of farm to school, farm to summer and farm to pre-school.

“The Farm To School Program is a great way to help schools partner with NJ farmers to source more than 100 types of Jersey Fresh produce grown here in the Garden State,” said NJDA Division of Food and Nutrition Director Rose Tricario. “The program also plays an important role in providing healthy options and educating students on how food is grown.”

For more information on Farm to School in New Jersey, visit: www.farmtoschool.nj.gov.

According to the 2015 USDA Farm to School Census, schools with strong farm to school programs report higher school meal participation, reduced food waste, and increased willingness of the students to try new foods, notably fruits and vegetables. In addition, in school year 2013-2014 alone, U.S. schools purchased more than $789 million in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers.

“Increasing the amount of local foods in America’s schools is a win-win for everyone,” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said. “Our children benefit from the fresh, local food served in their meals at school, and local economies are nourished, as well, when schools buy the food they provide close to home.”

Nearly half (47 percent) of these districts plan to purchase even more local foods in future school years. The USDA Farm to School grants are for 65 projects spanning 42 states and Puerto Rico this year.

New Jersey Crop Acreage

New Jersey producers planted 105 thousand acres of soybeans and expect to harvest 103 thousand acres. They planted 75 thousand acres of corn for all purposes and expect to harvest 66 thousand acres for grain. They planted 25 thousand acres of wheat and expect to harvest 18 thousand acres for grain. They are expected to harvest 1,800 acres of potatoes.

New Jersey producers expect to harvest 110 thousand hay acres; 10 thousand acres of alfalfa and 100 thousand acres of other hay. New Jersey producers planted 25 thousand acres of winter wheat and expect to harvest 18 thousand acres for grain.

Nationally corn planted area for all purposes in 2017 is estimated at 90.9 million acres, down 3 percent from last year. Soybean planted area for 2017 is estimated at a record high 89.5 million acres, up 7 percent from last year. All wheat planted area for 2017 is estimated at 45.7 million acres, down 9 percent from 2016. This represents the lowest all wheat planted area on record since records began in 1919. Growers planted 2.1 million acres of rye and expect to harvest 430 thousand acres for grain.

Survey procedures: The estimates of planted and harvested acreages in this report are based primarily on surveys conducted during the first 2 weeks of June. These surveys are based on a probability area frame survey with a national sample of approximately 11,000 segments or parcels of land (average approximately 1 square mile) and a probability list frame survey with a sample of approximately 69,700 farm operators. Enumerators conducting the probability area frame survey contact all farmers having operations within the sampled segments of land and account for their operations. For the probability list frame survey, data from operators were collected by mail, internet, telephone, or personal interview to obtain information on these operations. Responses from the probability list frame survey sample plus data from the probability area frame survey sample of operations that were not on the list to be sampled are combined to provide an estimate of planted and harvested acreages. (Source: USDA/NASS/NJFO)

New Jersey Department of Agriculture Projects Large 2017 Peach Crop The New Jersey Department of Agriculture reported that it projects its peach crop to be one of its largest in years.

“New Jersey’s crop of peaches are shaping up and will be available in abundance throughout the state,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “We want produce retailers and buyers as well as consumers of Jersey Fresh produce to know that we anticipate having a plentiful supply of peaches.”

New Jersey is one of the nation’s top growers of peaches. In 2015, farmers grew 42.2 million pounds of peaches on 4,700 acres valued at $27.6 million. The 2017 peach crop is projected to produce between 55 and 60 million pounds of peaches on 5,500 acres, according to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.

A half-cup sliced fresh peaches is just 30 calories and provides 10 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. Ripe peaches should be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to five days. Rinse peaches in cool water and dry before eating.

To find Jersey Fresh peaches, search for farmers markets, pick-your-own farms and roadside markets on the Jersey Fresh website at www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov.

6 August, 2017

RUTGERS NJAES/RCE

Become a Rutgers Master Gardener in Hunterdon County The Rutgers Master Gardener program of Hunterdon County is accepting applications for the new class of 2018, which will begin on September 19, 2017. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office located in the Route 12 County Complex.

The Rutgers Master Gardeners receive in-depth, hands-on training in horticulture from Rutgers faculty and professional staff. Some topics included in the course are: plant biology, propagation, soil science, disease and pest identification, turf management for home lawns, gardening and environmental principles.

Rutgers Master Gardeners are a unique group of individuals who provide outreach programs to home gardeners and their community. Successful graduates become Certified Rutgers Master Gardeners after they complete the course work and volunteer service hours.

No previous education in horticulture is required. Any residents who enjoy gardening, have a natural curiosity about their environment and want to make a commitment to volunteer service can become a Master Gardener.

For more information about the program, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County at (908) 788-1338, or stop in to pick up an application for the program. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County is located at 314 Route 12 County Complex, Building #2 in Flemington.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

Rutgers Gardens is Getting a Makeover!

In April, Rutgers Gardens was designated a Horticultural Landmark by the American Society for Horticultural Science, a distinction it shares with the New York Botanical Garden, the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., and Monticello, President Thomas Jefferson’s home in Virginia. As Bob Lyons, chair of the Gardens’ Advisory Board said, it certainly raises the profile of the Gardens!

Allium blooming at Rutgers Gardens. Photo: James M. O’Neill/NorthJersey.com.

What you might not know is that the Gardens started out as a learning space for farmers a century ago and over the years has transformed into a lush getaway spot where people can wander among blooming perennials and stately hollies.

Now, Rutgers Gardens is ready for the next phase. A new master plan lays out major changes for the gardens with a proposed $70 million in upgrades including a 1.5 mile educational path designed to teach visitors about the evolution of plants, trees and grasses over 400 million years of the Earth’s history.

Improvements will also include a new entrance area for visitors.

The new master plan envisions that the gardens’ $70 million upgrade would be funded mostly by donors and revenue generated by events held on site.

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From the Director’s Desk

Rutgers Outreach Provided by Larry S. Katz, Ph.D. Director Hot Water Not Required: Study Reveals Temp, Time and Soap Do the Job My microbial risk assessment lab has been doing handwashing and crosscontamination research for more than 15 years. This summer we had a paper on handwashing published in the Journal of Food Protection and it addresses some longheld food safety practices that can lead to energy and time savings.

This latest bit of research came out of my ongoing participation in the Conference for Food Protection. This is an unusual meeting, and unlike any other scientific conference. It’s a group of industry scientists, government regulators, and university academics that get together every two years to help the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition update a document called the “Model Food Code.” The code has no regulatory standing, but it is widely used by state health agencies as the basis for state food codes that regulate restaurants, supermarkets, and other food service establishments.

There are several provisions in the code that we wanted to have an impact on with our research. The code currently states that hands must be washed in warm water.

The plumbing section of the code also states that hand wash sinks must be capable of dispensing water at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. We wanted to explore whether there was any scientific basis for these statements.

We have four main findings from the research: The first finding is that water temperature did not make any difference. We studied 60, 80, and 100 degree Fahrenheit. And no matter what temperature was used, there was no difference in the number of bacteria removed during the hand wash.

This has important implications in energy savings. Using some assumptions about typical water flow rates, wash times, and water heater efficiencies, we calculated the energy savings associated with using a lower water temperature. Lowering the temperature from 100 degrees to 80 degrees results in 42 percent less energy used, while lowering to 60 degrees used 68 percent.

The second finding was regarding lather time. We defined lather time as the time from when the soap was added to the hands, until rinsing of the soap commenced. We studied four lather times: five, 10, 20, and 40 seconds. We saw a statistically significant difference between five and 20 second lather times, so my recommendation is to use a lather time of at least 10 seconds.

While the difference between 10 and 20 seconds might seem small, foodservice workers are often under a great deal of time pressure, and might be required to wash their hands many times per hour. Saving even 10 seconds here and there adds up and can give workers more time to pay attention to other tasks (like recording cooking or storage temperatures) that may have a significant food safety payoff.

We also studied three volumes of soap: 0.5, one and two milliliters. We did not see any difference in effectiveness between the three volumes. I do want to point out that this does not mean people should use less than 0.5 mL, or that they don’t need to use soap at all. Soap can be essential in removing dirt and bacteria from hands.

Finally, we compared antibacterial and non-antibacterial soaps for all the treatments.

We saw a small but highly statistically significant difference between bacterial and nonantibacterial soap. This is consistent with the difference we’ve seen in our analysis of the literature, as well as other research we’ve done with antibacterial soap.

We published a computer simulation paper in 2014, showing that even a small difference can lead to a significant reduction in foodborne disease. Our computer simulation predicted statistically significantly fewer illnesses whether food workers had millions or as few as 10 pathogenic bacteria on their hands. Using antibacterial soap was predicted to result in greater than 50 percent fewer illnesses when food workers’ hands were contaminated by pathogenic bacteria.

I think a key take-home message from this work is that handwashing is important, and that it’s better to wash your hands than not. That said, the person-to-person differences are often much larger than the differences between variables like lather time or soap volume.

Clearly there is much more research to be done in the field of handwashing. One of the variables we did not use in this study, but which we have investigated in the past, as have others, is the presence of debris on the hands. We know that hands that are visibly clean, but inoculated with bacteria, may behave differently than hands that contain food debris, soil, or feces, as well as microorganisms. We also know that viral diseases can be spread by hands, and that bacteria and viruses on the hands may react differently to a hand wash.

It’s been very interesting and exciting to do this kind of research.

Editor’s Note: This month’s column is written by Dr. Donald Schaffner, Distinguished Professor and Extension Specialist in Food Science at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

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RUTGERS NJAES/RCE

A Garden Pearl

After centuries of searching the world for new plants, it would seem unusual that there remains a “new plant” yet to be found by botanists.

Furthermore, it is all the more unusual if this plant was a small tree that bloomed during midsummer, just when flowering trees are much in need.

Imagine my surprise when I first saw a 30-footplus- tall specimen of Chinese Pearlbloom, Poliothyrsis sinensis, with its white flowers dramatically displayed against the late-July sky at the Scott Arboretum!

Poliothyrsis sinensis is a member of the Willow or Salicaceae Family and is classified as a monotypic genus since only one species is found within this genus. The plant was originally discovered in the late-1800s by the Irish plant explorer Augustine Henry (1857-1930), who sent samples back to Kew Gardens in England.

Daniel Oliver (1830-1916) was the Keeper of the Kew Herbarium from 1864-1890 and officially described and named the plant in 1885. The genus name is from the Greek Poli or Polio for grey and Thyrs for panicle, which refers to the panicles of white flowers. The species epithet has its roots in the Greek word Sinai, meaning China.

The plant did not appear in North America until the English plant explorer, Ernest Henry Wilson (1876-1930) brought back seeds to the Arnold Arboretum in 1908. One might than wonder how the plant could possibly be new to American Gardens, if the plant has been at the Arnold all this time. For reasons unknown, the plants at the Arnold were removed in 1933 and the plant was not reintroduced to the Arnold and North America until 1981, when seeds were received from the Shanghai Botanical Garden.

Now, after over a century, it is finally getting the recognition it well deserves.

Although many references describe this plant as a large

shrub, it is best grown as a small tree, since it can reach lofty heights of 50 feet with time. It remains a rather upright or columnar tree with widths reaching 20 to 25 feet, making it an ideal candidate for narrower planting sites. It should also be trained as a single-stemmed rather than multi-stemmed plant, since this develops a stronger branch scaffolding over time.

The foliage is a very glossy and attractive deep green, and it is nicely complemented by the red petioles or leaf stems.

In spring, the unfurling foliage displays dusky reds and burgundies before changing to green and finally a clean yellow come autumn. The sixto eight-inch-long by three- to four-inch-wide flower panicles are produced on the ends of the current season’s growth and yield flowers that are not only showy, but fragrant.

The flowers only crack open slightly throughout the length of their bloom, with each flower appearing much like a quarter-inch diameter pearl that provided the inspiration

Rutgers Master Gardeners at the Somerset 4H Fair The annual Somerset County 4H Fair will be held August 9th, 10th and 11th from 10am to 10pm at North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater.

While visiting the fair, this year’s must see is the display by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County who will be in the Board of Agriculture tent. The Master Gardener 4H team decided on the theme “The Living Backyard”.

The exhibit will guide visitors in landscaping their home yards, patios, apartment and condo balconies to attract monarch butterflies, birds and other wildlife. The tent will be full of the many flowering plants and shrubs that are enjoyed by a multitude of animals, insects and birds, both native to New Jersey and those who stop by on their long migrations north or south.

In the center of the tent will be a child-sized bird nest surrounded by the children’s area with, puzzles, arts and crafts, a “fun fact” section and other gardening games for the younger guests.

There will be an exhibit of developing monarchs and swallowtails, from egg to butterfly, in a series of cages. A daily butterfly release will be the highlight of the day.

Since water is the essence of life, a bubbling water fountain will be a featured element of the landscape.

Rutgers Master Gardeners will also be on site to answer your horticultural questions and distribute various Rutgers Fact Sheets and other pertinent information.

Aside from their appearance at the Fair, Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline volunteers are available to provide assistance on the phone or on a walk-in basis.

The NJAES Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office of Somerset County is located at 310 Milltown Road in Bridgewater. The Helpline hours are 9AM-12Noon Monday through Friday. Inquiries can be made by phoning 908-526-6293 press option 4 or residents can bring a sample of their problem to the office.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination at 848-932-3584.

for its common name of Pearlbloom. From a distance, the plant actually bears a strong resemblance to the Mayblooming Japanese Tree Lilac.

The flowers are monoecious, meaning that on any given panicle, some of the flowers only form the pollen-shedding anthers while other flowers will generate the seeds. The showy portion of the flowers are actually not petals, but modified leaves called bracts, a trait that is also witnessed on Flowering Dogwood.

The flower bracts are initially a bright white and age to a buff or yellow-white over the course of a month. The female flowers give rise to gray seed capsules come fall, which again bear a strikingly strong resemblance to the Japanese Tree Lilac. It is the white flowers transitioning to gray seed heads that gave rise to its genus name of “gray-panicles.”

The plants have proven to be perfectly hardy throughout zone 6, growing best in full sun and in soils that drain well. In fact, once established,

August, 2017 7 Chinese Pearlbloom is very drought-tolerant. The plant also exhibits a vigorous rate of growth in youth, satisfying those gardeners with nominal patience.

It is certainly refreshing to know that great plants still remain to be discovered – especially these wonderful “Pearls” that provide great interest to our Gardens during those seasons when it is most needed!

Editor’s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth; is the managing director of the Rutgers Gardens, a 180-acre outdoor teaching classroom, horticultural research facility and arboretum; an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; regularly participates in the Rutgers – Continuing Education Program; and the immediate pastpresident of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. He can be reached at (732) 932-8451. For more information, please visit www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu

5ඎඍ඀ൾඋඌ &ඈඈඉൾඋൺඍංඏൾ (එඍൾඇඌංඈඇ 3ඁඈඇൾ 'ංඋൾർඍඈඋඒ Atlantic County Phone: 609-625-0056 Bergen County Phone: 201-336-6780 Burlington County Phone: 609-265-5050 Camden County Phone: 856 216 7130 Cape May County Phone: 609-465-5115 Cumberland County Phone: 856-451-2800 Essex County Phone: 973-228-2210 Gloucester County Phone: 856-307-6450 Hudson County Phone: 201-915-1399 Hunterdon County Phone: 908-788-1339 Mercer County Phone: 609-989-6830

Middlesex County Phone: 732-398-5260 Monmouth County Phone: 732-431-7260 Morris County Phone: 973-285-8300 Ocean County Phone:732-349-1246 Passaic County Phone: 973-305-5740 Salem County Phone: 856-769-0090 Somerset County Phone: 908-526-6293 Sussex County Phone: 973-948-3040 Union County Phone: 908-654-9854 Warren County Phone: 908-475-6505

8 August, 2017

GardenerNews.com

New Jersey Legislative Update Senate Bill No. 2457 The bill enables the collection of voluntary contributions for the Jersey Fresh Program through gross income tax returns. The purpose of this bill is to create an additional funding source for advertising, promotional, and quality grading program activities under the Jersey Fresh Program.

In 1984, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture created the first in the nation state-sponsored agricultural branding program, Jersey Fresh, in order to distinguish the high quality of New Jersey produced fruits and vegetables from others in the marketplace. This Statesponsored branding program was later expanded to include Jersey Grown for nursery crops, Jersey Seafood for aquacultured and wildcaught fish and shellfish, Jersey Equine for equine livestock, and Made with Jersey Fresh for processed food made with New Jersey sourced agricultural products. These additional programs related to Jersey Fresh could also receive funds under the bill.

Advertising and promotional materials are used to inform consumers about the availability of locally grown products. The quality grading program guarantees that each Jersey Fresh commodity meets a certain quality standard for size, shape, and coloring.

The State’s agriculture and food industry is an essential part of New Jersey’s local economy and this bill allows for the collection of voluntary contributions on gross income tax returns to help support it.

To receive the gross income tax return contributions, the bill establishes the Jersey Fresh Program Fund. The fund is scheduled to begin receiving contributions for the first taxable year beginning after the date of enactment of the bill into law. The bill directs that fund deposits are to be annually appropriated to the Department of Agriculture for the purposes of providing support to the Jersey Fresh Program, which would include, but need not be limited to, funding advertising, promotional, and quality grading program activities.

This bill has passed in both houses and is awaiting the governor’s signature.

Senate Bill No. 3404 This bill would prohibit knowingly selling, planting, propagating or distributing of certain invasive plants in the State, except for scientific or educational purposes. However, the sale, offer for sale, planting, propagation, or distribution of an invasive plant that is inadvertently included in a container together with another plant would not constitute a violation under the bill. The invasive plants covered by the bill are Canadian Thistle (Cirsium arvense), Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum caspidatum), Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), Mile-aminute (Polygonum perfoliatum), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and Water Chestnut (Trapa natans), and include the plant, and any cutting, flower, seed, root, other plant part, or cultivar therefrom.

The bill provides that a violation of the prohibition could subject the violator to a civil penalty of up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second offense, and up to $500 for a third or subsequent offense. The bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to seek injunctive relief to prohibit or prevent a violation of the bill. However, the bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture from adding any plant to the list of plants in the definition of “invasive plant” in the bill.

Assembly Bill No. 3031 This bill would prevent the New Jersey State Forest Nursery (the State forest nursery) from engaging in unfair competition with local private nurseries by prohibiting the State forest nursery from selling any “forestation stock” from the State forest nursery for less than the average market price for any of the purposes enumerated in subsection c. of section 1 of the bill.

The bill also prohibits the State forest nursery from providing trees or forestation stock solely for aesthetic improvement, aesthetic screening, or any other solely aesthetic purpose.

“Forestation stock” is defined in the bill as any native tree seed, seedling, or sapling, or any hybrid or genetically altered or improved seed, seedling, or sapling that is at least in part a native tree seed, seedling, or sapling, sold either as a bare root or in a pot or tub. “Hybrid or genetically altered or improved seed, seedling, or sapling” is defined in the bill to include, but not be limited to, the pitch-lob seedling created by crossing the pitch pine and the loblolly pine.

Finally, the bill codifies the current regulation stipulating that forestation stock from the State forest nursery cannot be resold or removed from the property upon which it is planted, whether as live trees or severed from the stump, for ornamental use, or for use as Christmas trees or holiday decorations.

Agricultural Statistics for New York State USDA/NASS/NYFO

Value of New York Grape Production Increases Albany, New York - The value of New York’s 2016 grape production totaled $64.5 million according to Blair Smith, State Statistician of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office. The value of utilized production increased 13 percent from the previous year.

Grape production in New York was 171,000 tons, up 18 percent from 2015.

Fresh grapes totaled 2,000 tons while 169,000 tons were crushed by wineries and processors.

Grapes utilized for juice accounted for 115,000 tons processed with the remaining 54,000 tons going for wine.

New York Tart Cherry Production Down Due to Freeze New York utilized tart cherry production for 2016 is estimated at 7.9 million pounds, down 24 percent from 2015 according to Blair Smith, State Statistician of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office. Production was lower due to a freeze event during the bloom period which limited crop potential in some areas.

Bearing Acreage totaled 1,600 acres, unchanged from 2015 and 2014 acreage.

Price per pound totaled 0.304 dollars, up 20 percent from 2015, and slightly above prices in 2014.

Value of utilized production totaled 2.4 million dollars, down 9 percent from 2015 and down 23 percent from 2014.

GardenerNews.com

August, 2017 9 Around The Garden

By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

What’s wrong with our trees? I can now see the sky!

Edgewood Pharmacy

I grew up in a wooded neighborhood. And in the past few years, I’ve noticed the sky a lot more often.

Earlier this year, I notice a giant elm tree on the property line in distress. The tree did not seem like it was pushing leaves in the spring, in a normal fashion. I was concerned that it might have Dutch elm disease.

In late-June, the few leaves on the branches in the outer crown of the tree started to turn yellow, wilt and then turned brown. The yellowing and wilting of leaves progressed down the infected branches towards the trunk of the tree. Soon the leaves started to fall, and are now covering the lawn. How unseasonable!

After a pretty good thunderstorm, a branch broke off and fell to the ground. I peeled back the bark and found brown streaking on the wood. My worst fears were confirmed when I had the tree examined by an arborist. As I type this column, I await the removal of the beautiful elm that painted the skyline with its majestic branches throughout the seasons.

On another note, I was told by the arborist that the wood should not be saved for firewood. It should be chipped to destroy the breeding place of the elm bark beetle, which is the primary culprit in spreading Dutch elm disease in North America. I was also told that there is no cure for this disease.

I’ve also noticed that many of the dogwoods around the property are now dead. I wonder if they are victims of the unusually severe weather (wet springs, cold winters, dry summers) or a fungus that spreads upward from the bottom branches. I’ve recently seen tan spots on the leaves that developed into purple rims. Could the cause be Dogwood anthracnose?

Several hemlock trees also dot the landscape. Most notable is a giant, 50-plus year old weeping hemlock that sits in a landscape bed on top of a stone wall. A giant focal point in the backyard. For years I battled the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), a small, aphidlike insect that was threatening the health and sustainability of the tree.

The hemlock woolly adelgid is tiny, less than 1/16-inch long, and varies from dark reddish-brown to purplish-black in color. As it matures, it produces a covering of wool-like wax filaments to protect itself and its eggs from natural enemies and prevents them from drying out. This wool looks like the head of a Q-tip cotton swab, and is most conspicuous when the adelgid is mature and laying eggs. The wool can be readily observed from late-fall to early-summer.

The wooly adelgid coated the undersides of the hemlock’s evergreen needles, where they sucked the tree’s juices dry. The needles turned pale and fell off. Entire branches died. I was scared the tree would eventually succumb.

I’ve tried foliar sprays using horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps for years to combat the adelgid.

I’ve found that they were only effective when I saturated the entire tree. That was a lot of work and product to use. And it was expensive.

Two years ago, I tried a systemic insecticide that I applied to the soil around the base of the tree. I applied it last year, and this spring as well. My hemlock is now adelgid-free. This is not an endorsement in any way shape or form, but I will share the product that I used. It is by Beyer Advanced. It’s called 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed. The container has a built-in measuring cup. This dual-action formula killed the adelgid and prevented new infestations. Plus it provided a slow-release fertilizer. The hemlock is back to being really dark green and healthy. The product is also labeled to prevent Japanese beetle damage.

Outside of my neighborhood, tree problems also exist.

The first thing that comes to mind is the Emerald ash borer. It arrived in New Jersey in the spring of 2014.

Emerald ash borers deposit their eggs near the tops of trees and then the larvae burrow into the tree and begin feasting on the living wood in a serpentine pattern, cutting off the supply of nutrients to the tree as they feed from the top down. The borers travel the trees xylem and phloem (the thin layer between the bark and the inner rings of the trunk) which transports water and sugar, throughout the tree.

Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk.

Adults are roughly 3/8 to 5/8 inches long, with metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen. All native ash trees are susceptible. Most trees die within two to four years of becoming infested.

Hopefully, the Asian long-horned beetle has been eradicated in New Jersey since its arrival in Jersey City in 2002.

In California, an invasive beetle that crossed from Mexico into southern San Diego County more than five years ago is continuing to head north, threatening widespread destruction of ornamental palm trees and date palms that could add up to millions of dollars in damage.

The coconut rhinoceros beetle could devastate Hawaii’s palm trees and move on to bananas, papayas, sugar cane, and other crops afterward. Adult beetles burrow into the crowns of palm trees to feed on their sap, damaging developing leaves and eventually killing the trees. Concerns that the thumb-sized pest, named for its curved horn, could hitch a ride to California or Florida and attack thriving palm oil and date industries there have prompted federal and state officials to declare the beetle’s discovery in Honolulu a pest emergency.

I hope the federal government is noticing all of these tree problems. Will we still have trees in the future? Or will I see more sky?

As always, I hope you find the information in the Gardener News informative and enjoyable.

Until next time…Keep the “garden” in the Garden State.

-Tom

62 B Mountain Blvd. Warren, NJ (Next to Kings Food Markets) 908-754-4400 www.EdgewoodPharmacy.com

Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

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10 August, 2017

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If It Smells Like a Petunia or Shampoo, It Might Be a Pesticide (Continued from page 1)

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Agricultural Research Service Chemist Aijun Zhang

USDA/Photo

USDA/Photo

ARS scientists found that a naturally occurring chemical, methyl benzoate, can kill brown marmorated stink bugs.

Snapdragons emit methyl benzoate to attract bees for pollination points out the possibility of a new bio-based pesticide—especially one based on an inexpensive chemical whose residue lasts a relatively short time in the environment— is exciting.

Recently, Zhang was granted a patent for insecticide use of methyl benzoate. ARS is seeking a company to license the technology and bring commercial products to market.

Originally, Zhang was identifying volatile compounds in apple juice that attracted fruit flies. Compounds found in rotting apples and other fruits usually attract flies. He found one compound—No. 19—strongly repelled SWD, and later showed it killed them as well.

Compound No. 19 turned out to be methyl benzoate, with its characteristic wintergreen-spicy, floralfruity aroma.

Methyl benzoate proved to be 5 to 20 times more toxic to eggs of brown marmorated stink bug, diamondback moth and tobacco hornworm than a conventional pyrethroid insecticide, a sulfur and pyrethrin mixture, or some organic products currently on the market.

Next, Zhang will test methyl benzoate’s effectiveness against mosquitoes, fire ants, gypsy moths and stored-product insect pests. All of these insects are developing resistance to standard pesticides.

Zhang is also investigating whether low doses of methyl benzoate could control Varroa mites, the No. 1 problem of managed honey bees today.

Editor’s Note: Kim Kaplan is a Public Affairs Specialist for the USDA Agricultural Research Service. She can be reached at 301504-1637 or by emailing Kim.Kaplan@ars.usda.gov

GardenerNews.com

August, 2017 11

12 August, 2017

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August, 2017 13

Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Expands in Three Southeastern Pa Counties Nine municipalities spanning Berks, Bucks, Montgomery counties added; 84 municipalities now quarantined The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced on June 30, 2017, that nine municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania have been added to the list of areas quarantined due to the invasive Spotted Lanternfly.

In Berks County, Muhlenberg Township and Laureldale Borough were added to the quarantine area. In Bucks County, sightings of the invasive insect were confirmed in Springfield, East Rockhill and West Rockhill townships, as well as Perkasie, Sellersville and Telford boroughs. The addition of Telford Borough, in Montgomery County, brought the total number of affected municipalities to 84. The quarantine restricts movement of any material or object that can spread the pest.

“This is our third season of combatting the Spotted Lanternfly, and despite extensive work that has helped slow the spread of this potentially devastating invasive pest, the addition of these new municipalities illustrates just how challenging a task that is,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Our goal remains to eliminate this pest from Pennsylvania and see to it that it does not spread elsewhere. But to do that, we need the public to help us by watching out for these pests, reporting new infestations, and ensuring that they don’t hitch a ride when you travel.”

The Spotted Lanternfly is an inch-long black, red and white spotted pest that is native to China, India, Japan, and Vietnam. It is an invasive species in Korea, where it has attacked 25 plant species that also grow in Pennsylvania. The pest had not been found in the United States prior to its initial detection in Berks County in the fall of 2014.

Redding encouraged residents inside the quarantine zone to report any yet-unreported locations of Spotted Lanternfly infestations to the department.

If you live outside the quarantined zone and find a specimen, first place the sample in alcohol or hand sanitizer in a leak-proof container. Then, submit the specimen to your county Penn State Extension office or to the department’s entomology lab for verification. Do not move live specimens. Even within the quarantine area, there are many places that do not have active populations of Spotted Lanternfly, so officials ask the public to help prevent the spread of this pest by inspecting themselves and their belongings for the pest before moving to a new area.

The general quarantine of these infested areas restricts movement of any material or object that could spread the pest. This includes firewood or wood products, brush or yard waste, remodeling or construction materials and waste, boxes or other packing materials, grapevines for decorative purposes or as nursery stock, and any outdoor household articles like lawnmowers, grills, tarps and other equipment, as well as trucks and vehicles not typically stored indoors.

The quarantine now covers: Berks County: Alsace, Amity, Centre, Colebrookdale, District, Douglass, Earl, Exeter, Hereford, Longswamp, Maiden Creek, Maxatawny, Muhlenberg, Oley, Pike, Richmond, Robeson, Rockland, Ruscombmanor, Union and Washington townships, and the boroughs of Bally, Bechtelsville, Birdsboro, Boyertown, Centreport, Fleetwood, Kutztown, Laureldale, Lyons, St. Lawrence, and Topton Bucks County: Haycock, Milford, Richland, Springfield, East Rockhill and West Rockhill townships and Perkasie, Richlandtown, Quakertown, Sellersville, Telford and Trumbauersville boroughs Chester County: East Coventry, East Pikeland, East Vincent, North Coventry, South Coventry, and Warwick townships, and Spring City Borough Lehigh County: Upper Saucon, Lower Macungie, Upper Macungie, Upper Milford, Lower Milford, Salisbury, Whitehall, and South Whitehall townships; the boroughs of Alburtis, Coopersburg, Emmaus and Macungie; and the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem Montgomery County: Douglass, Marlborough, New Hanover, Upper Hanover, Upper Providence, Upper Pottsgrove, Upper Salford, Upper Frederick, Limerick, Lower Frederick, Lower Pottsgrove and West Pottsgrove townships, and the boroughs of East Greenville, Green Lane, Pennsburg, Pottstown, Red Hill, Royersford and Telford Northampton County: Bethlehem City Visit agriculture.pa.gov to access the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine checklist, view the quarantine map, or contact a local municipality or extension office. The checklist provides guidelines for inspecting vehicles and other items stored outdoors each time they are moved out of the quarantine area.

Businesses in the general quarantine area may need to obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate from the department to move articles. Local Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors can work with businesses to ensure that they are complying with quarantine restrictions.

Photos of adults or egg masses found outside of the quarantined areas can be submitted to badbug@pa.gov. To report a site, call the Invasive Species Report Line at 1-866-253-7189 and provide details of the sighting and your contact information.

Suspect specimens can be submitted directly to the department’s headquarters in Harrisburg or to any of its six regional offices. Specimens also can be submitted to county Penn State Extension offices.

For more information about the Spotted Lanternfly, visit agriculture.pa.gov and look under “Hot Topics” for Spotted Lanternfly.

Help Wanted

Morris County (NJ) Park Commission is seeking a full-time Superintendent of Horticulture. The Superintendent of Horticulture is a hands on working supervisor position. Responsibilities include fulfilling supervisory and operational duties for the development and implementation of creative and current professional horticultural and arboricultural principles and practices. The Superintendent of Horticulture is responsible for both in house and contracted Horticultural programs and projects for facilities and grounds of the The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum and Bamboo Brook (Historic Garden). Individuals in this position assist in management and operation of the Park Commission’s horticultural facilities, coordinating these functions with other Divisions to achieve common goals.

Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture or a related field from an accredited college or university or a demonstrated ability to perform the job based on work experience.

Minimum five years of experience at a botanical garden or arboretum, horticultural trade or institutional program dealing primarily with horticulture or a related field.

Demonstrable competency in identification of a wide range of plant material and botanical nomenclature.

Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize work and coordinate multiple activities and projects at the same time.

Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, validated Certified Pesticide Applicator Registration Valid New Jersey Driver’s license.

Applicants must pass a written and field horticultural competency test to be eligible for this position.

Salary: $75,726.00 plus Benefits.

Applicants must visit http://morrisparks.net/index.php/commission/employment/ for full job description and additional information regarding the Park Commission. Download the employment application and submit with cover letter and resume to employment@morrisparks.net No phone calls please. The Morris County Park Commission is an equal opportunity employer. Deadline: until filled.

14 August, 2017

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FLORIST 700 Springfield Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 Phone: (908) 665-0331 Fax: (908) 665-9804 email: hallsgarden@earthlink.net www.hallsgarden.com

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August, 2017 15

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16 August, 2017 My oldest son recently turned 16. And as most people know, at least here in New Jersey, that is the age that most teens start the process of getting licensed to drive. As I have observed him start to go through the process of learning how to drive, it brought back many memories of my own experiences of learning to drive on a farm.

First of all, I think it is fair to say that most farm kids start driving at a much younger age than other kids.

There are many reasons for this, the most obvious of which is that there is more room to practice. I can’t imagine trying to learn how to drive in a city or densely populated area. On a farm, there is usually plenty of room to practice. Without having a suitable area to drive in, most young drivers are forced to practice in the presence of a licensed adult on the road. If I wanted to drive, I could just go out back and practice, as long as I brought the truck back in one piece, of course.

Another advantage of learning to drive on a farm As we start to get into the hazy, hot and humid days of summer, your landscape may need some special attention.

Even though we have had abundant spring rainfall, when new plantings are forced to endure 90-degree heat without adequate natural rainfall, they may suffer.

Water in general can be a problem area as natural rainfall is seldom sufficient during the summer months.

Additional water will need to be supplemented since there are many factors affecting the moisture content in plants. During dry, windy weather conditions, plants and particularly turf will dry more quickly.

You may notice the same areas dry out first every year.

These isolated dry areas can be hard compacted soils or even an overabundance of rocks or concrete foundations under the soil. Temperature will play a significant part in how much water is needed as well. An additional watering per week will need to be added during these periods. Most summer rain showers are fast and furious, with much of the beneficial moisture running off.

Therefore, these showers cannot be counted

GardenerNews.com The Town Farmer

By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

Learning to Drive is that there were a wide range of vehicles to choose from. I remember that the first two vehicles I drove were both tractors. One was a Ford and the other was an International. They were both fairly small and had simple, four-speed manual transmissions. And because I learned how to use a clutch first, it made driving vehicles with automatic transmissions later on seem like a breeze.

After I mastered these first two vehicles, I quickly moved on to other trucks and tractors that we had on the farm. These vehicles were all different in terms of their starting procedures.

Certain ones needed to be choked. Others were prone to flooding the carburetor.

Having to know these things forced me to learn some

basic mechanical knowledge as to how these trucks and tractors actually worked. I had to learn which tractors had positive grounds (as opposed to the traditional negative ground) if they needed to be jump started. I also learned to park certain tractors on a hill so that if they did not start, I could just let it start rolling and then pop the clutch, and be on my way!

After the novelty of just driving a tractor wore off, it was time to put those vehicles to use in one form or another. Now I would not just be driving them, but I would be using them to operate a mower, or pull a sprayer, or raise and lower a front-end loader.

If I were operating a mower for example, I would

have to control the speed and direction of the tractor while also constantly adjusting the height of the mower in the rear with one arm, at the same time as I was keeping tree limbs from smacking me in the face with the other. And while these tasks were usually performed at relatively slow speeds, it forced me to become proficient at multitasking behind the wheel. And with the later advent of smart phones, this became a very valuable skill to have mastered.

Of course, things are quite different today.

Technology has spread into all aspects of agriculture.

Although our farm does not have any yet, many of the large field crop growers who are farming very large tracts

The Landscaper

By Evan Dickerson Landscape Professional

More Than Just a Sprinkle on to sufficiently water the landscape. It would be a good idea to measure the amount of water your sprinklers or system apply. Use three or four flatbottomed containers and time how long it takes to accumulate one-half inch of water.

Armed with this information, you can then apply the proper amount of water to your turf and ornamentals.

For turf during temperatures of up to 80 degrees, you will need to apply one-half inch of water once or twice weekly.

As the temperatures increase five degrees, you will need to add one additional half-inch watering.

For instance, 85-degree periods would require two or three half-inch waterings, 85 to 90 degrees, three or four halfinch waterings, and so forth.

This generally applies to your turf since it is important to keep moisture levels up before

the turf approaches dormancy.

However, if your property is too big to keep it all watered properly, letting your turf go dormant while concentrating on your ornamentals and bedding plants is a viable alternative. Your ornamentals will not need as frequent watering as the turf, but they should be watered enough to prevent them from drooping.

This will prevent root loss and ultimately other problems from insects and disease.

Plants which are in distress are willing targets of insects and disease. If your plants were planted in a medium rich in organics and other soil amendments, their root systems should be strong enough to withstand the high temperatures so far this year.

Directed applications of water are important to target areas where your plants may dry out more quickly.

Another cultural practice which will enhance the health and vitality of your plants is how they are pruned.

Improper and indiscriminant shearing of ornamentals can increase the incidence of disease problems and can make the plants more attractive to insects.

Horticultural pruning fits the bill as this cultural practice.

By horticultural pruning, we mean systematically reducing the height and girth of plants by removing branches through the use of hand pruning. This involves cutting back into the old wood, therefore reducing the size of the plant while keeping the natural shape and intended look of these ornamentals.

Try to make cuts at a lateral stem or bud. This will eliminate long pieces of dead tissue which are an open invitation for problems.

of land now have tractors that are guided by GPS and are equipped with auto-steer.

This allows the tractor to make laser straight rows without any input from the operator. All they have to do is disengage it at the end of the field, turn it around, and re-engage it again. However, there are problems with all of this technology. One grower from the Midwest told me that he has a hard time not eating his lunch before 10 in the morning.

And still another one told me that his wife won’t ride in the cab with him anymore because he can’t keep his hands to himself!

Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is currently the Mayor of Tewksbury Township. He also served as a director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau and is a past president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Peter has also been featured on NJN, News 12 New Jersey and on the Fox Business Network.

Proper pruning to enhance the natural form of your plants will also make them more efficient water users.

Dead heading, removing old flowers and blossoms on perennials and ornamentals, can be done at this time as well. This will extend the blooming period on some plants and aid in the set up of flowers for next season on others.

Certainly when plants are used as a screen or to border an area, and the intended look is a hedge, the gas or electric, even hand shears would be appropriate to use. As with all tools, pruning devices of all types must be kept razor sharp. Not only will this make your job easier to accomplish, it will keep your cuts clean and even.

Proper irrigation and pruning will help your landscape plants survive and increase your enjoyment of them in the summer heat.

Editor’s Note: Evan Dickerson is owner of Dickerson Landscape Contractors and NaturesPro of North Plainfield. He has been pioneering the organic approach to plant health since 1972. Evan can be reached at 908-753-1490

GardenerNews.com

August, 2017 17

18 August, 2017 What makes a person think of summer more than the watermelon?

Every summer picnic, gathering or backyard BBQ seems to include the wonderful watermelon during the summer months.

Deriving its name from its high water content, nearly 91 percent, it has become an American staple. Nearly 44 states produce this fruit, which is technically a vegetable due to the fact that it is seed bearing. The largest producers by state are Texas, Florida, Georgia and California, respectively.

Most of the watermelons in the U.S. are domestic, with the remainder coming from Mexico and Central America. China is by far the world’s leader in overall production. I always look at the labels and try to stay as local as possible with just about anything I eat or purchase for the family. So remember to always take that extra second to check out the origin of all your fruits and veggies. Especially during the summer months when a majority of your fresh produce should be relatively

GardenerNews.com From the Deep

By Craig Korb Executive Chef

More than just a savory summer treat local, with a good price as well.

The watermelon originated in Africa and was most likely brought here

by European settlers and slaves hundreds of years ago. Spanish settlers have been said to have grown it in Florida as long ago as the late-1500s. It is a scrambling, trailing vine and is high in vitamin C and contains cancer-deterring lycopene, which is also super-high in tomatoes. Other than that, it is not the most nutrientdense fruit out there, but on a hot summer day, there is nothing better.

This month’s recipe is going to be a watermelon salad, based on the one my daughter Marley had in the Florida Keys over spring break. Which I might add

was devoured in minutes and I am now forced to make at home on a regular basis.

I know, watermelon salad sounds a bit odd, but it is perfect for a summertime salad and is also a little different than your average salad. Strawberry salad has been popular over the last several years, so why not watermelon salad, right?

This is very easy to make and will definitely get you some props at your next dinner party or backyard BBQ. You can basically prep the salad hours in advance and put it together in a few minutes. The key here is to get a nice ripe melon and a good bottle of quality balsamic vinegar, which sets the whole salad off. There are a few variations which I will include in the recipe.

Colored Rice May Brighten the Menu for Diabetics in the Future

By Sandra Avant Public Affairs Specialist When it comes to healthful foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are some choices that come to mind.

But how about rice—colored rice that is? Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are investigating the potential of brown, purple and red rice in managing diabetes.

Rice bran contains bioactive compounds—extra nutrients that occur in small amounts in foods.

Studies have shown that these compounds have the potential to promote human health.

A health issue of great concern is diabetes—a disease that affects how your body uses blood glucose (sugar). Today, nearly 30 million Americans and 422 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes.

ARS chemist Stephen Boue and his colleagues in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Stuttgart, Arkansas, examined the impact of brown, red and purple rice bran on mice fat cells as a model for developing methods to help with diabetes management.

They studied the colored rice bran extracts’ ability to stimulate glucose uptake in mice fat cells.

Glucose uptake is critical for people with diabetes, because their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin, which causes elevated glucose levels in the blood. Without proper medical care, diabetes can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage.

The ARS study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, showed a significant increase in glucose uptake in mice fat cells exposed to colored bran extracts. Glucose uptake nearly tripled in mice fat cells exposed to red rice bran extracts and more than doubled with purple rice bran extracts, according to Boue, who works at ARS’s Southern Regional Research Center.

While these results showed promise in using red and purple bran extracts to regulate glucose uptake in mice fat cells, Boue noted that additional research with humans is needed to verify the same positive effect.

Editor’s Note: Sandra Avant works for the USDA Agricultural Research Service. She can be reached at 301-504-1627 or by emailing Sandra.Avant@ars.usda.gov

Did you know that you should wash those watermelons? According to the FDA, you should wash all fruits and vegetables in clean, running water before eating them. This is true for all fruits and veggies, rinds or not! You should also use clean knives and cutting surfaces, and make sure you have washed your hands prior to preparing the watermelon for eating.

Good luck, hope you enjoy it and keep summer alive!

Marley’s watermelon salad, Florida Keys style (serves 2) -2 cups fresh watermelon, cut into bite sized cubes -small handful of fresh mint or fresh basil, roughly chopped

-1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese or Mexican style queso fresco, crumbled -fresh ground black pepper and sea salt, to taste -light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, to taste (this is optional) -drizzle of good quality balsamic vinegar (aged and thicker balsamic works best) method-in a small to mediumsized bowl, gently toss together watermelon cubes, fresh mint or basil, cheese, and salt and pepper -place onto a plate or in serving bowls -drizzle olive oil (optional) and balsamic onto watermelon mixture and serve immediately.

ENJOY! Editor’s Note: Craig Korb is executive chef at The Crab’s Claw Inn, Lavallette, New Jersey. He has an Associates degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelors degree in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. For more information visit www.TheCrabsClaw.com or phone (732) 793-4447.

GardenerNews.com Perhaps the most common question I am asked when selling a new plant is, “How much water should I give it?”

A quick and easy answer is two or three times a week. A better answer is, put your hand in the soil and feel if it is wet or dry. Today, it seems, most people want quick, easy, tidy answers that fit in a box. That’s not gardening! “Gardening is not a spectator sport,” as my friend and colleague Eileen Ferrer has said many times before.

I find it best, when describing water tactics, to give analogies. Take for instance, a sponge in a sink. If you keep the sponge wet all the time, bacteria can develop.

Conversely, if you go away for a week on vacation, you can break the sponge in half, as it will have dried out.

You want the consistency of the soil to be like a sponge after it has been wrung out.

Moist with the ability to dry out and get ready to receive more water. “Roots are critical to a plant’s life. They are the primary source for water, food and the intake of oxygen. The roots of the plant take up water, but they also need air to breathe.

Overwatering, in simple terms, drowns your plant.

Oxygen fills the space between

Over the past few weeks, I have been approached by many people at the Montclair Farmers’ Market, which I am a part of and therefore a captive resource every Saturday morning, to inquire about a lovely scent they are experiencing in their neighborhood.

Where could it be coming from? After a few questions to confirm what I already know, I inform them it is the bee tree, one of the lindens.

The lindens, genus Tilia, are represented by many species, including tropical forms, but only three of them are important to us. They are large shade trees, with cordateshaped leaves and distinct bark that is broken into long, flat-topped grayish ridges. In winter, its silhouette is easily identifiable, with a generally pyramidal shape and older branches with dips and rises, like the trail of a fish jumping in and out of the water as it travels. Fall color is muted yellow, but can be wonderful in some years.

Flowers are pale yellow, in clusters forming a pendulous cyme hanging under the leaves. They are intoxicatingly

August, 2017 19 Unique Plants

By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

Water Wise the particles of soil. Soil that is constantly wet won’t have enough air pockets, and plants will not be able to breathe by taking up oxygen with their roots” (valleycresttakeson. com).

Couple this with planting your plant too deeply, another common mistake. Here’s another analogy for you. If you are standing in a pool of water and your nose is one inch above the water line, you can still breath. However, add 1.5 inches of water and you will drown. The same holds true for plants. Make sure the shoulders of the plant, the root flare or soil mass when you pull your plant out of its container, is slightly higher than the soil line.

Moving on, let’s talk about sprinkler systems for a moment.

Again, many customers want to simplify watering as much as possible. When you install a

sprinkler system, it is important to have separate zones for your lawn and for your plant material. Why, because the root system of your lawn may only be a few inches deep, whereas your plants may have root systems that are several feet deep.

Proper watering habits promote deep root growth and this is critical for a plants growth and performance. Simply running your lawn sprinklers longer to accommodate your plants will most likely result in your lawn having fungal issues or other stressful outcomes.

It’s important to also note that you have to monitor and, most likely, adjust your sprinkler clock every few weeks based on the weather.

Just because you have exercised your wallet and installed an irrigation system does not mean your responsibilities end there. Cooler months will not

require as many minutes per zone, while warmer months will need more time on the clock, adjusting for evaporation and extreme heat. Additionally, rain sensors are well worth the money, preventing the silliness of seeing sprinklers running in the middle of a rain storm.

There is no easy answer on how long it takes to water a particular tree or shrub. Most home hose spigots, left wide open, can have about five gallons of water come out in one minute. To test yours, open your spigot and see if you can fill a five-gallon bucket in 60 seconds.

Putting a water reducer, such as a nozzle, at the end of the hose will lessen the output slightly. When you water your annuals, perennials, shrubs and larger trees, think about the five-gallon pail visual. If your mulch is lifting and floating away, you’re probably watering

Tree Notes

By Steve Schuckman NJ Certified Tree Expert

The Bee Tree fragrant, and the copious nectar is irresistible to bees.

Honeybees will fill a blooming tree, and if one stands nearby, the tree “hums” with their activity. The honey produced is as fragrant as the flowers… and delicious! Hence the common name, “bee tree.”

Our most common native species is Tilia Americana, also called basswood. It becomes a very large forest tree, growing to 80 feet, and if open-grown can have a very wide spread.

This is not a yard tree. Its soft, pale wood was used for trim, plywood, and cabinets.

It is very common in rich woods along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

If one would like to see and experience an old-growth sugar maple-basswood forest, travel to Boone County, Mo., and visit Schnabel Woods.

Situated along the bluff of the Missouri River, the rich, loessal soils support an untouched native hardwood forest. Too steep to have been timbered, and now owned and protected by the University of Missouri, it represents the forest from the time of Lewis and Clark. I had the opportunity to study there when at Mizzou, and when in those woods, I went back in time, imagining our country when only the hardiest of women and men could travel these lands.

There are two other species of importance: littleleaf linden and silver linden.

Littleleaf linden, Tilia cordata, is very similar to American basswood, with smaller leaves and flowering a little later. It is the most common linden used as a street

tree, and likely the tree folks experience when in bloom.

It is of European origin, and has been in cultivation since ancient times. There are many cultivars, hard to separate when young. My favorite as a municipal forester is “Summer Sprite.” This true dwarf is hard to find (can some nursery please grow it??!!). It is an excellent underwire tree.

I planted a few in Montclair over six years ago. Today they are about five-inch caliper and only 12 feet tall…perfect little lindens.

The other linden used as a street tree is silver linden, Tilia tomentosa. This is the most beautiful linden, with soft green leaves, silvery on the back, and pale gray bark. The yellow flower clusters stand out from the silvery leaves, and when a breeze passes

too much. Contrarily, 10 to 20 seconds on a larger caliper tree is not nearly enough.

Finally, if you really want to understand water mechanics and fully invest in your new plantings, consider a tensiometer. “A tensiometer measures soil moisture. It is an instrument designed to measure the tension or suction that plants’ roots must exert to extract water from the soil.

This tension is a direct measure of the availability of water to a plant” (agriculture.vic.gov.au).

They, quite simply, provide a suitable method to aid in your irrigation decisions should you need extra help. Realistically and pragmatically, you can start with checking your plants two or three times a week, but putting your hand into the soil is always my best advice.

Editor’s Note: Bob LaHoff is co-owner of Hall’s Garden Center and Florist in Union County, a member of the Union County Board of Agriculture, the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, Reeves-Reed Arboretum Buildings and Grounds Committee, a lifetime member of the Conifer Society and past member of the retail council for Monrovia Growers. He can be reached at (908) 665-0331.

by, the tree shimmers like, well…silver. The last linden to flower, it perfumes the air as hot weather arrives.

Linden flowers are used as tea, and their oils used as fragrance for soaps and lotions. It is one of my favorite scents. But as a beekeeper, it is the honey the bees make from this wonderful tree.

A strong honeybee colony, sited in the right place, will produce a delicious honey from linden. Since the trees are staggered in bloom time – first American basswood, then littleleaf, then silver – the bees go crazy and put up a pale yellow, fragrant, awesome honey.

It truly is the Bee Tree.

Editor’s Note: Steve Schuckman is owner of First Mountain Aboriculture, which provides horticultural consulting and community forestry services. He is currently the consulting forester for Bloomfield, Hawthorne, Maplewood, and Montclair, in New Jersey. He is also a New Jersey Certified Tree Expert.

He can be reached at smschuckman@verizon.net

20 August, 2017

Farmers in North Dakota Need Your Help North Dakota State University’s FeedList allows farmers and ranchers in other areas to donate feedstuffs easily to North Dakota ranchers who are short of pasture, hay and other livestock feed due to drought.

“Nearly one-third of North Dakota is in extreme drought,” said Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension Service assistant director for agriculture and natural resources. “Pastures and hay supplies can’t support cattle, and crops are withering.

When an Extension colleague in Wisconsin said they wanted to help, we quickly made donating hay or other feedstuffs an easy process.”

Farmers and ranchers who have feedstuffs for sale or to donate can list them on the FeedList website at https:// www.ag.ndsu.edu/feedlist, which connects feed sellers/ donors and buyers/receivers. Extension offices, livestock associations, farm organizations, businesses and others may want to coordinate transportation of supplies to North Dakota, Stoltenow said.

Steve Okonek, University of Wisconsin-Extension agricultural agent in Trempealeau County, contacted Stoltenow when an area farmer asked how he could donate hay to North Dakota ranchers.

“We’re all aware of challenges in agriculture, and any one of us could need help at any time,” Okonek said. “When there’s extreme weather, other farmers come forward and help, so we now need to help other farmers. Here in Wisconsin, we remember our drought of ’88. The truckloads of hay saved some operations.”

Andy Schultz called Okonek with the idea of donating some hay to North Dakota ranchers who are starting to sell off beef cattle because their pastures and hay supplies can’t support them.

“I know how important rain is to a cow-calf operation,” Schultz said. “You make money by keeping costs low and rely on pastures and cheap feed, but you need rain to have pastures. Costs shoot up (when producers have to buy more hay and feed).”

That’s why Schultz wants to donate hay to North Dakota ranchers and encourage other farmers who have hay and feedstuffs available to help their agriculture colleagues in need.

“Weather is regional,” Schultz said. “One area might get too much rain, and another area be in a drought. If we don’t sustain ag in our region, it has a ripple effect in our economy.

Small towns and schools suffer.

“A lot of people don’t know where their food comes from,” he added. “They don’t realize if producers have to sell their cows, they just don’t bounce back. To be a livestock farmer is different. It takes commitment and building equity.

You just don’t start up again.”

Using the FeedList is free of charge. Anyone who wants to buy or receive, or has feed to sell or donate can complete an online form at the site. Those who need entry help can contact a county office of the NDSU Extension Service. Visit https:// www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension/directory to find a county office.

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Dynamic Duo

By Jeannie Geremia Garden Club of New Jersey We are so fortunate to have innumerable, selfless volunteers in The Garden Club of New Jersey’s membership who donate so much of their time, energy and expertise to help make New Jersey worthy of the “nickname,” the Garden State.

No one exemplifies that description more than the dynamic duo of Diana and Mike Dove. They not only contribute so much to the GCNJ, but to innumerable other organizations they are affiliated with. I know many of you have been rewarded throughout the years by projects, programs and materials they have brought to your communities, schools, fairs and organizations.

They work tirelessly behind the scenes as environmental educators to bring the latest resources and updated information to the public, and especially to our youth. That said, I’d like to give you an overview of the extent to which these supertalented volunteers have contributed to our quality of life, by providing you with some details.

The Doves began their life’s work by earning Forestry and Wildlife degrees, Diana from Virginia Tech and Mike from the University of Maine. Diana is a former Senior Naturalist for Somerset County Parks and Mike was a Section Forest Fire Warden for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Lucky for us, their combined backgrounds led to their showcasing their talents into unique, “hands on” programs that they have shared with young and old alike over the past decades.

They have entertained countless school groups, colleges, universities, garden clubs and like organizations with their taxidermy animals and creative means of inviting their audience to experience the wonder of our wildlife and their habitat in an unforgettable and moving way.

Mike’s stories of the benefits each animal species affords us and Diana’s musical talent are a delight

to behold. Their main goal is to reinforce the need to protect our precious wildlife by providing a “clean, litterfree habitat” and empowering their audience to be active participants to that end.

Diana Dove founded the renowned Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden over 20 years ago on a quarteracre at Memorial School in the Borough of Washington, Warren County, N.J. This garden is a tribute to Karen Nash, a speech therapist at the school who wrote butterfly stories as a way of engaging her pupils. Ms. Nash subsequently lost her battle to cancer at 40 years of age in February 1997.

Diana, Mike, also a founding member, Tomas Gonzales, garden designer and project manager, along with countless other volunteers developed this award winning, youth-driven butterfly garden as an outdoor living lab that is open to the public. Throughout these decades, this butterfly garden has planted the “seeds” of environmental awareness and education to youth of all ages and their mentors. The garden contains over 200 nectar and host plants for butterfly species and continually educates the public about planting for pollinators.

This garden is the pride of Warren County and has promoted teamwork among various youth organizations, including local Scouts, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Aftercare, National Honor Society Teens, SAVE Teens, Streaks Nation Teens, New Jersey Youth Conservation Corp. and other youth groups who garden throughout the summer months.

It has inspired the Doves to form a separate youth gardening club in The Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc., called the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden Club, after having been a part of the Warren Garden Club for many years.

The Doves’ environmental education efforts have received countless recognition over the years with their awardwinning Clean Communities programs including the New

Jersey Clean Communities Council’s award for Excellence in Education.

Diana was selected as Environmental Educator of the Year by the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education and received acclaims from Warren County Department of Economic Development, Warren County Board of Freeholders, and the New Jersey Department of Tourism for their programs for all ages.

Their energy knows no bounds as they are front and center at the Garden Club of New Jersey’s State Standard Flower Show every February with their educational exhibits featuring Monarch Butterflies and showcasing their youth gardeners’ activities in creative and inspiring mediums.

I have had the pleasure of witnessing their dedication and devotion to our youth at the New Jersey State Sussex Fair and the Secaucus Green Fest, among other venues where they provide crafts promoting clean communities. Educational materials provided by the USDA’s NRCS to the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden Club and shared by them with the GCNJ’s Wildlife Habitat Committee are the best means of distributing these pollinator posters and brochures to schools, public gardens, libraries, garden centers, museums and fellow educators throughout New Jersey.

To obtain these resources, please contact Diana Dove at 908-689-7771, or email me at jgeremia42@ gmail.com. Happy summer!

Editor’s Note: Jeannie Geremia is The Garden Club of New Jersey First Vice President, GCNJ Wildlife Habitat Chair, and is a National Garden Clubs, Inc. Accredited Life Flower Show Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is a member of Neshanic Garden Club, The Raritan Township Historic Committee and the Raritan Township Board of Health.

Jeannie’s email address is: jgeremia42@gmail.com

GardenerNews.com

August, 2017 21

How Are Marshmallows, Hawaii, and Clocks, Related?

By Hubert Ling Our New Jersey native plant Hibiscus moscheutos is commonly known as swamp rose-mallow or marsh mallow; of course, I like marsh mallow!

It is related to a similar European/African plant, Althaea officinalis, which is the original marsh mallow.

The Egyptians thousands of years ago used a mucilaginous gummy mash from Althaea officinalis roots mixed with sugar as medicine to soothe throats and treat throat ulcers.

Gradually, this good-tasting medicine changed into our present-day campfire treat by the use of corn starch and gelatin to replace the limited supply of marsh mallow roots.

Our New Jersey native marsh mallow, which is similar in size, shape, and habitat to the original marsh mallow, has very showy fourinch white or rose-colored flowers with a deep maroon

central eye. Surprisingly, it is a cold hardy perennial. Since it is a true hibiscus, it is very similar to the hibiscus that Tahitian and Hawaiian ladies traditionally wear; a flower behind the left ear indicates a married lady while one worn behind the right ear signifies one is single.

Our marsh mallow is a four- to seven-foot-tall shrub with several thick stalks rising from a common rootstock. Numerous flowers are borne at the ends of the branches in August. Each flower lasts for only one day, but the plants bloom for up to four weeks and large mature plants can produce up to 20 blooms per day.

Be sure to give them a lot of room to grow, because each plant can become really large. The plants die back to the roots each fall, but vigorously sprout up each spring.

The marsh mallow is easy to propagate from seed and is easy to care for; Thomas Jefferson liked this plant and grew it on his Monticello

estate in 1767. The plant has become quite popular in garden shops, particularly in cold-hardy hybrid forms, which come in vibrant colors with flowers up to 12 inches wide.

Swamp rose mallow or marsh mallow grows naturally in fresh or brackish water marshes. It does best in full sun and damp to wet soil, but tolerates partial shade, regular garden soil, and deer.

Hibiscus moscheutos is widely distributed in North America from Canada to Florida and as far west as New Mexico and Utah. It is common in New Jersey and occurs in most of the state, except for the far northwest near the Delaware River. This plant is our only native Hibiscus, although an introduced common garden plant Rose of Sharon is scientifically named Hibiscus syriacus.

Native marsh mallow is ecologically important for any garden. The large flowers are pollinated

by long-tongued bees, including a specialist, the nonstinging rose mallow bee. The plant is also utilized by hummingbirds and by several species of butterflies.

The marsh mallow is also host to the wonderfully camouflaged New Jersey bird dropping moth (Tarache delecta) and to the New Jersey Io moth (Automeris io), which has an incredibly detailed pair of large, lustrous, 3-D appearing “eyes” on the hindwings.

When attacked these moths move their forewings to rapidly uncover these eyes which startle attacking birds.

Check out photographs of these marvelous creatures on the internet; they have to be seen to be believed. A word of warning, don’t touch spiky Io moth caterpillars; their stinging spines are venomous.

Another esoteric use of marsh mallow would be to make a floral clock; the flowers of this clock would open at different times of day and thus indicate the

time. There are some major problems with this idea, since current temperature and rainfall can highly modify the time the flowers open. Nevertheless, marsh mallow generally opens at 9 to 11 a.m., quill fameflower (Phemeranthus teretifolius) opens at noon to 2 p.m. You might be able to guess the timing for Mirabilis jalapa, the common four-o’clock.

The fragrant waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), a New Jersey native, opens at 6 to 8 p.m. Selenicereus grandiflorus (queen of the night) opens at midnight to 2 a.m., and yellow goatsbeard (Tragopogon pratensis) opens at 3 to 5 a.m.

As you can see, you probably wouldn’t want to use flowers to set your watch, but it is a fun concept anyway!

Editor’s Note: Hubert Ling is the Horticulture Chairman for the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. He can be reached at milhubling@verizon.net

Aphids – Ants’ Best Friends

By William A. Kolbe B.C.E. August is here and most hemipteran (plant-feeding insects) are in full stages and full growth mode.

One of the more interesting ones we deal with in structural pest control is aphids. We don’t deal with them directly, but more indirectly due to their association with ants. Ants have been on Earth for over 220 million years. Aphids probably appeared around 280 million years ago, in the early Permian period. The oldest known aphid fossil is of the species Triassoaphis cubitus from the Triassic. The number of species was small, but increased considerably with the appearance of angiosperms 160 million years ago.

Many species are green, but other commonly occurring species may be white and wooly, brown, or black. Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions. They

are capable of extremely rapid increase in numbers by asexual reproduction. The damage they do to plants has made them enemies of farmers and gardeners around the world.

About 4,400 species are known, all included in the family Aphididae. Around 250 species are serious pests for agriculture and forestry, as well as an annoyance for gardeners.

They vary in length from one to 10 millimetres (0.04 to 0.39 inches). Natural enemies include predatory ladybugs, hoverfly larvae, parasitic wasps, aphid midge larvae, crab spiders and lacewings.

Aphids have little protection from predators and diseases. The honeydew secreted by the aphids is the summertime preferred food for ants. Some species of ants will actually herd or farm aphids. If you want to see this in action, just grow sunflowers. When the plants are mature, you will usually find field ants tending to aphids on the plants. Very cool to watch.

Female aphids do need

protein in their diets to produce eggs. Since their only food is plant juices (fructose based), there is little protein in plant juices. The aphids pretty much feed 24/7 to obtain enough protein from the little amount in plant juices. So what “ends” up happening is that aphids product and excrete this sweet substance we call “honeydew.”

This is the preferred food for ants, as well as other insects.

Ladybird beetles do not feed on this honeydew, they just are ferocious feeders on the entire aphid.

By understanding this relationship and knowing that ants and aphids are and prefer to be out in shrubs, trees, gardens and other outside plants, we know that these are areas that might need to be treated in order to get total control of ants. Again, since Aphids are ornamental and plant feeders, structural pest management companies rarely get called to control aphids. Plants exhibiting aphid damage can have a variety of symptoms, such as decreased growth rates,

mottled leaves, yellowing, stunted growth, curled leaves, browning, wilting, low yields and death.

There are various insecticides that can be used to control aphids, including synthetic insecticides and plant extracts/products that are thought to be more eco-friendly.

Neem and lantana products can be used to protect plants against aphids. For garden infestations, simply spraying the plants thoroughly with a strong water jet every few days may be sufficient protection for roses and other plants.

An insecticidal soap solution can be an effective household remedy to control aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods.

It will only kill aphids on contact and has no residual action against aphids that arrive after application. Soap spray may damage plants, especially at higher concentrations or at temperatures above 32 dgree Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit).

Some plant species are known to be sensitive to soap sprays.

So the next time you visit

your garden in August and park under a tree, don’t be surprised if you come back and there are these tiny little spots on your car. You might even think a branch broke and sap is falling from the tree. Well, it just might be, and probably is, honeydew being excreted from aphids and somewhere close by ants will be waiting for their most beloved meal, “honeydew,” Also don’t be surprised to find a few ladybird beetles hanging around waiting for a snack.

Editor’s Note: William A. Kolbe, BCE is Director of Technical and Training for Viking® Pest Control based out of Warren, NJ . He is a Board Certified Entomologist and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Entomology with a minor in Ecology from the University of Delaware. Bill is a member of The Denville NJ Community Gardens.

His career in Professional Pest Control started in June 1974. He can be reached at 732-356-3100 or visit www.vikingpest.com

22 August, 2017

GardenerNews.com

Farmers’ Market Celebrates 25th Anniversary Montclair in Essex County was one of the very first towns in the Garden State to host a farmers’ market, back in 1993.

This year, the Montclair Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 25th season.

The market is committed to public health, the local economy, and the environment. The 21-plus vendors are New Jersey farmers and food artisans that offer Jersey Fresh cut flowers, fruit, honey and vegetables. The vendors also offer baked goods, cheese, condiments, meat, pickles, poultry, prepared foods, seafood and wine. There are also several organic options. The refreshing market prides itself on being a food only market.

This year-round market is located in the parking lot of the Walnut Street Train Station every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Technically not part of the market, there are often several food truck options and ice cream vendors that line the perimeter of the train station parking lot.

Pictured are: Rich Sunden from the Stone Pointe Farm in Old Tappan, Bergen County, and Steve Schuckman, Chair of the Monclair Farmers Market, Tom Castronovo/Photo sporting a Jersey Fresh t-shirt.

August is a great month – summer is in full swing, the baseball season is heating up, vacations are being taken and barbeques are everywhere.

August is also a great month to sit outside and admire how nice your lawn and plants look. All your work in the spring and earlysummer has been rewarded with a lush lawn and beautiful plants. As you are admiring them, it is also an excellent time to consider what you can do in August so that your lawn and plants continue to look superb. Below are some tips that will ensure that your plants and lawn continue to be the envy of your neighbors.

Avoid watering mid-day.

The August mid-day heat will evaporate the water before it can be absorbed. Better to water in the morning or evenings. Not only will your lawn and plants appreciate this, but you will save money by using less water, which is also good for the environment.

Also, if you have an irrigation system, make sure that it is functioning properly and that the sprinklers are pointed in the right direction.

The NJLCA Today

By Gail Woolcott Director of Operations

Late-summer lawn and plant chores Furthermore, make sure that the irrigation heads are not being blocked by plants that have grown taller.

Continue to weed – weeds compete with your plants for water and nutrients, so by eliminating them you will help ensure that your lawn and plants continue to flourish.

If you are considering planting shrubs, mid-August to mid-September is the ideal time to transplant shrubs whose root ball is wrapped in burlap.

There are several types of flowers that can also be planted in August to bloom in the fall. Among these are Asters, Fall Crocus, Chrysanthemums, Sweet Autumn Clematis and Obedient Plant, along with many others.

There are several steps that you can take in August that will reap benefits during the winter. For example, you should stop pruning your evergreen trees as August arrives. If you continue to prune, the evergreens might have new growth, which won’t harden and is at risk of be killed during the winter chill.

Also, August is the month that you should stop feeding your roses, so that growth can harden sufficiently before the first frost arrives. This will also help reduce the amount of winter kill.

Late-August is also the prime time to renovate your lawn. Especially in a hot summer, your lawn may be showing signs of wear by the time late-summer arrives. You should remove weeds, aerate and dethatch

the lawn (which allows air, water and nutrition to get to the roots) and apply seed.

Most importantly, make sure that you water the lawn afterwards. When buying seed, make sure that you buy seed that is appropriate for New Jersey’s Zone 6 climate.

Cut your lawn a bit higher.

While this may mean that you have to cut more often, letting the grass grow a bit higher will shade the roots, which cools the soil and allows water to be absorbed more efficiently, leading to a healthier lawn.

Continue to remove tired blooms on roses, perennials and annuals to highlight fresh, active growth (a process called dead heading).

Check your garden for insects. When doing this, check both the top and bottom

of leaves, because often bugs will hide and leave egg sacs on the undersides of leaves.

By following these tips, you will ensure that your lawns and plants will continue to look as good in August and September as they did in the earlier part of the summer.

You should also take precautions when working on your lawn and plants. Given the August heat, you should be aware that working outside in high temperatures can be dangerous. Keep hydrated, wear light colored clothing, slow down and work at an even pace, avoid or block out direct sun if possible, use a damp rag to wipe your face and/or put around your neck, try not to work mid-day, and use sunscreen and wear a hat to avoid sunburn.

By following these safety tips, you can ensure that you will be able to continue to enjoy your lawn and garden.

Editor’s Note: Gail Woolcott is Director of Operations for the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association.

She can be reached at (201) 703-3600 or by emailing gwoolcott@NJLCA.org

GardenerNews.com Each year I hear more and more stories from homeowners that they tried the organic approach and now they have a great lawn.

It is important to remember that organic products do not work as quickly as synthetic/ chemical-based products and patience is a virtue once you commit to an organic lawncare program. Let’s explore how this organic approach can be used to create a great lawn.

Organic methods of farming were all that existed for centuries. The ability to use what you had available locally to grow crops in order to eat and survive was critical. As the world population exploded, farming methods in the last century developed into using less-expensive synthetic materials to reduce costs and increase yields. These farming methods are based on feeding the plant directly instead of creating available nutrients in the soil for the various crops to utilize.

Remember, we learned how the Native Americans taught the early settlers to

August, 2017 23 Turf ‘s Up

By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

What about Organic Lawn Care? farm by putting a fish head on top of each corn plant?

Organic lawn care is based on feeding the soil and the soil will then feed the grass. By creating a healthy, alive soil profile, we can grow a better lawn. How do we do this? First, be sure you use quality grass seed if you are going to try and win “the best lawn in town” contest! Soil is a complex array of water, clay, sand, silt, earthworms and microbial life. If we can stimulate this soil life, we can grow a great lawn.

There are a number of organic fertilizers available, some are manures from animals, some may be biosolids from human waste and others come from plant and animal proteins. Plant and animal proteins are primarily waste products from the food

industry used to make animal feed. These include feather, blood, alfalfa, meat, bone, fish, cottonseed, soybean and other “meal” products.

I prefer an organic lawn fertilizer that utilizes plants and animal proteins to create a “spaghetti sauce” mixture for greater feeding diversity.

These “meals” are broken down by microbes in the soil, creating a food source for the grass plants. Biological activity in the soil helps to loosen soil and promote earthworm activity. A healthy, active soil biology can also reduce thatch and help to reduce fungus pressure, too.

The only real organic weed preventer available to control grassy and broadleaf weeds selectively in turf grass are corn gluten-based.

There have been some

improvements made to the original corn gluten patent to enhance weed control performance.

Remember, corn gluten products also contain nitrogen to feed the plant.

Weeds are probably the hardest to get under control in the first season with organic products if you have an abundance of them. It may take a sound organic lawn care program and a few seasons to get 95-percent control of weeds in your lawn.

There are some non-selective organic sprays you can use to kill weeds in the lawn, but they will leave a brown-dead spot in your lawn wherever you spray them.

If bugs in the lawn are a problem, there are some organic essential oil products available in both granular

and spray forms. Some of these oils may kill some bugs, while others repel bugs away from your yard. Grubs are harder to control using organic products; however, I think we will see some new organic controls come on the market in the future.

Growing a great lawn includes creating the proper soil pH level, between 6.2 and 7.0 for best growth.

Also, you need to relieve soil compaction so grass roots can drive deep into the soil for nutrients and water sources.

Gypsum-based products, along with aeration, work best to help loosen clay-type soils.

Someday you might see a picture of my friend Paul’s lawn. He only uses organics and his lawn looks great, way better than his neighbors.

Hope you succeed in winning “The best lawn in town” contest!

Editor’s Note: Todd Pretz is Vice President of Jonathan Green, a leading supplier of lawn and garden products in the northeast. For more information, please visit: www.jonathangreen.com

Designing the Details: Sweating the small stuff

By Brian Bosenberg Often in our day-to-day activities, it is wise to follow the life advice, “Do not sweat the small stuff.”

Well, that is exactly what we do when it comes to creating timeless design solutions. It may not be initially apparent to the average onlooker, but even the simplest design requires the utmost attention to detail during all phases of the design and construction. Overlooking even small details can create headaches and increase your maintenance in the long run. If you do not sweat the details, your design will likely fail the test of time.

Layout: Details are immediately important during our initial design analysis. We carefully walk the site and record its natural and as-built features. We then put pencil to paper and filter through the site analysis findings to help us develop

the desired landscape design solution. The layout of the outdoor rooms, gardens and sitting spaces must highlight the desired views but at the same time screen the negative views, creating privacy.

Pedestrian circulation must be considered from existing doors and pathways to future destinations but at the same time not in conflict with the layout of landscape features.

Sweat the layout!

Elevation: How many steps up to the front door?

Three or one? One step has been readily described as a trip hazard and is hard to perceive in the landscape, especially when it is dark.

More than five steps? Maybe a landing is needed to break up the steps. Are the steps five, six or seven inches tall, do the steps have to tie into an existing walkway and future terrace? If we change the elevation, will we need a retaining wall?

Drainage swales and yard drains may be required to convey the excess water away from our new pool or

patio. Can you connect into the existing drain pipes; are they adequately sized for extra impervious coverage?

Drainage solutions can make or break your final design. A driveway needs to consider the slope and alignment. It must accommodate an SUV and maybe even a low-profile sports car, especially when transitioning to the public street.

Planting Design: Our approach to a planting design is to initially look at the layout and add plants in a structural sense by considering the variables of site conditions, width, height, texture, color and screening potential. Once we have framed out the landscape plan in a structural sense, we then begin to consider how bloom time and colors of the plants will complement one another; the goal is to create a visual symphony of color and intensity framed by the larger structural elements.

Construction Details: Another important aspect to the development of detailed

landscape drawings is the creation of construction details. Many projects require a full suite of unique and custom drawings showing the design, fabrication and installation of specific site details. For example, a custom arbor constructed from heavy rough-sawn timbers requires careful collaboration between the client, contractor and designer. Perhaps you would like a switch to turn on an elegant fire place in the center of your patio. This too requires coordination of a mason, electrician, plumber, excavator and landscape contractor. Be sure to always run the extra conduit for future needs when thinking about outdoor lighting or sound in the garden. Whether we are designing an outdoor grill station or a koi pond, one must consider these elements in context with the entire landscape, the architecture and the utility framework.

The approach to design and the project details stem from a mindset of practicality and ease of construction.

Once you have a design based on the site analysis and solid design ideas, you can confidently push the design to the limits of creativity to best meet your needs, desires and budget.

“Good design makes a product [space] useful. A product [space] is designed to be used [enjoyed]. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic.

Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product [space] whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.” –Dieter Rams, German industrial designer Editor’s Note: Brian W. Bosenberg is a practicing landscape architect licensed in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maine and Vermont, and a principal in the firm of Bosenberg & Company Landscape Architects, Far Hills, N.J. He can be reached at 908-234-0557, info@bwbosenberg.com or www.bwbosenberg.com

24 August, 2017

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Master Nursery Garden Centers Announces IGC Show As Exclusive Site of Summer Board, National Member Meetings Master Nursery Garden Centers and IGC Show organizers announce Master Nursery will hold its Summer Board Meeting, as well as its National Member Meeting, at the IGC Show this August.

Master Nursery officials say they will not conduct a regional gathering at AmericanHort’s Cultivate in favor of the national member meeting alongside the IGC Show at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

“IGC Show Chicago was a tremendous success for us when we moved our Summer Board Meeting to Navy Pier two years ago,” says Jeff Lafferty, CEO of Master Nursery Garden Centers. “Now, having both our Summer Board Meeting and our new National Member Meeting at the IGC Show will make accessing the breadth of the resources there that much more convenient for our membership.”

“Master Nursery’s membership of more than 550 independent garden centers is the perfect fit with the IGC Show since independent garden center retail success is what we’re all about,” says Jeff Morey, IGC Show Founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to have the Master Nursery team select the IGC Show as the exclusive site for their National Member Meeting. It underscores our mission to make the show a central hub where the independent garden center industry comes together each and every year.”

IGC Show’s trade show, three morning keynotes and Opening Evening Party & Concert with Blue Öyster Cult are all free – if you register now at www.IGCChicago.com This show is open to the garden center trade only.

The Premier Gardening Monthly Newspaper Number 172 Published Monthly Reserve Ad Space Phone: 908.604.4444 Website: www.GardenerNews.com E-Mail: Mail@GardenerNews.com Staff Executive Editor/ Publisher . . . .

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Tom Castronovo Justin Kukuc Tom Castronovo

August Columnists Tom Castronovo Gail Woolcott Bob LaHoff Larry Katz Craig Korb

Todd Pretz Douglas H. Fisher Steve Schuckman Peter Melick Evan Dickerson

Contributing Writers Bruce Crawford Brian Bosenberg Hubert Ling Kim Kaplan

Jeannie Geremia William A. Kolbe B.C.E. Dr. Donald Schaffner Sandra Avant

Gardener News is published monthly by

Full Moon, August 7, 2017 Eastern Daylight

TIP OF THE MONTH

Petunias are perfect for locations exposed to full sunlight. Watering is critical when it comes to caring for petunias in hanging baskets. Water whenever the top couple of inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Hanging petunia plants may need water daily during the summer, and maybe even twice during periods of extreme heat. Water deeply, then let the pot drain. Never allow the soil to remain continually wet, as your petunias are likely to rot in soggy conditions. If possible, water the soil and not the foliage, as wetting the leaves can promote fungal disease.

Feed petunias every week, using a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for flowering annuals.

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26 August, 2017

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